JP3753618B2 - Sheet separation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet separating apparatus that separates a sheet from a roller that conveys the sheet, such as a fixing roller of an image forming apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, a toner image is formed on a sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying member such as a roller, and fixing of the toner image to the sheet is performed by a heating roller type fixing roller. There are many cases. Further, the sheet on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the next process by the fixing roller.
[0003]
This fixing roller of the heating roller type is for fixing a toner image to a sheet by melting it with heat and pressure, and is liable to cause a sheet conveyance error due to the sheet being wound around the fixing roller. For this reason, a polytetrafluoroethylene coat or a release agent is often applied to the fixing roller to improve the releasability of the fixing roller, but the sheet can be fixed only by applying the polytetrafluoroethylene coat or the release agent. There is a risk of not peeling off the roller.
[0004]
On the other hand, for example, as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-58665, a sheet separating device including a plurality of separation claws that are in sliding contact with the fixing roller may be provided to separate the sheet from the fixing roller. is there. Each separation claw of the sheet separating apparatus is configured to be separated from the fixing roller by rotating around a rotation axis, and the separated state can be maintained. When the sheet jams due to passing through, each separation claw is separated from the fixing roller so that the sheet wound around the fixing roller can be removed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the sheet separating apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-58665, the separation claws are independent of each other, and the separation claw must be separated from the fixing roller and slidably contacted with the fixing roller for each separation claw. is there. Therefore, it takes time to remove the sheet wound around the fixing roller, and the number of people who can perform the work is limited.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of separation claws that are arranged in parallel in the width direction of a sheet conveying member such as a roller and a belt and that are separated from and contactable with the sheet conveying member. It is intended to provide a sheet separating apparatus capable of efficiently separating jams by integrally separating the separation claws. Here, the separation claw separates the sheet from the sheet conveying member by, for example, sliding contact with a sheet conveying member such as a heating roller type fixing roller that melts and fixes the toner image on the sheet. It is intended to prevent winding jams.
[0007]
The separation claw can be separated from the sheet conveying member. When a sheet jams through the separation claw and a conveyance jam occurs, the separation claw can be separated to remove the wound sheet. In addition, each separation claw can be separated and contacted independently of each other, and all separation claws are urged with a predetermined force even when the distance from the sheet conveying member at the time of separation is different for each separation claw, Each separation claw is brought into sliding contact with the sheet conveying member without being affected by other separation claws.
[0008]
If the separation claw is partially overlapped with the adjacent separation claw and the adjacent separation claws are overlapped when the separation claw is separated, when the one separation claw is separated, the overlapped portion sequentially turns the adjacent separation claw By separating, a plurality of separation claws can be linked and separated. That is, a plurality of separation claws can be integrated by separating one of the plurality of separation claws urged independently from each other and separating the other separation claws together. When the separation claws are in sliding contact, they are slid independently from each other by the urging force of each separation claw.
[0009]
If a part of the separation claw is an arm protruding in the width direction, the separation claw can be interlocked by overlapping this arm on the adjacent separation claw. At this time, the arm can be overlapped with the adjacent separation claw by making the length of the arm longer than the interval between the adjacent separation claws. Further, when the separation claw is in sliding contact with the sheet conveying member, if the arm is positioned so that the arm of the separation claw and the adjacent separation claw are not in contact with each other, the separation claw can be separated and contacted independently of each other. Can do.
[0010]
Further, the number of arms is not limited to one, and a plurality of arms may be used. For example, if the arms are provided on both sides in the width direction of the separation claws, the arms of adjacent separation claws can be overlapped with each other to interlock the separation claws. . At this time, if the arms are protruded on both sides of the separation claw so that the adjacent separation claw arms are not in contact with each other when the separation claw is in sliding contact, the separation claws are independent of each other. In this way, it is possible to freely connect and disconnect.
[0011]
If an operation arm is provided on one side of the separation claw located at one end in the width direction, and this operation arm is movably guided by the frame for supporting the sheet conveying member, the operation arm is moved to The separation claw can be separated integrally. Further, if the engaging portion that engages the operation arm is formed on the frame, the separation claw can be held in the separated state. Moreover, the manufacturing cost of components can be reduced by making the separation claw from which the arm protrudes into the same shape.
[0012]
Moreover, you may insert an interlocking rod in the through-hole formed in each isolation | separation nail | claw as an interlocking means which separates a separation nail | claw integrally. If this interlocking rod is formed to be smaller than the through hole, the interlocking rod and the separation pawl are not in contact with each other when the separation pawl is in sliding contact, and the separation pawls can be separated from each other independently. On the other hand, when the separation claw is separated, the interlocking rod comes into contact with the separation claw, and the separation claw can be separated integrally.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a sheet separating apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixing device provided with a sheet separating apparatus, and a sliding state of a separating claw, and FIG. Show. FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of the separation claws. 2 and 3 show a surface (one side in the width direction) on which the user operates the fixing device and the sheet separating device.
[0014]
The sheet separating apparatus 1 is slidably contacted with a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 as a sheet conveying member, and is rotatable about a plurality of separation claws 3 for separating the conveyed sheet from the fixing roller 2 and a rotation shaft 4. A tension spring 5 that biases each separation claw 3 is provided so that the supported separation claw 3 is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2.
[0015]
The separation claw 3 has a thickness in the width direction of about 5 mm to 6 mm, and has a substantially trapezoidal separation claw body 6 having a sharp tip at the sliding contact with the fixing roller 2, and protrudes on both sides of the separation claw body 6 in the width direction. The separation claws 3 are formed in the same shape from engineering plastics having heat resistance such as polyimide, polyamide, poniphenylene sulfide, and the like. Further, at the front end of the separation claw body 6, R = 0.05 mm to 0. A roundness of about 1 mm is formed so as not to damage the fixing roller 2.
[0016]
A through hole 8 is formed on the base end side of the separation claw body 6, and a rotating shaft 4 supported at both ends by a frame 13 described later and arranged in parallel with the fixing roller 2 is provided on the separation claw body 6. By passing through the through holes 8, the plurality of separation claws 3 are arranged in parallel in the width direction on the downstream side of the fixing rollers 2.
[0017]
Note that the separation claws 3 may be arranged on the downstream side of the fixing roller 2 as many as necessary according to the maximum conveyance width of the sheet. For example, in the A4 vertical size, 3 to 5 separation claws 3 may be arranged, and when four separation claws 3 are used for each fixing roller 2, the installation interval between the separation claws 3 is about 80 mm. do it. In addition, when five separation claws 3 are used, the interval between the separation claws 3 may be about 60 mm.
[0018]
Further, the tip of the separation claw 3 is positioned in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of each fixing roller 2, and the separation claw 3 is slid in the sliding contact direction (the tip of the upper separation claw 3 has an upper end. When the lower separation claw 3 is rotated in the direction in which the front end portion is rotated downward), the front end portion comes into sliding contact with the fixing roller 2 and moves away (the direction opposite to the sliding contact direction). The tip portion is separated from the fixing roller 2. Here, each separation claw 3 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 4, and each separation claw 3 is independent from each other and can be separated from and brought into contact with the fixing roller 2.
[0019]
The tension spring 5 is interposed between a tension spring mounting hole 9 formed in the separation claw body 6 and a tension spring mounting piece 10 projecting from a frame 13 to be described later. Energized in the direction. The tension spring 5 is attached to each separation claw 3 and only the separation claw 3 is biased. Further, the strength of the tension spring 5 may be such that the tip of the separation claw body 6 is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2 with a force of several g to several tens g (preferably 10 to 20 g).
[0020]
On one side and the other side in the width direction of the separation claw body 6, one side arm 7 a and the other side arm 7 b are respectively fixed to the separation claw body 6 or protruded by being integrally formed with the separation claw body 6. ing. The other side arm 7b overlaps with the one side arm 7a of the adjacent separation claw 3 and from the tip of the one side arm 7a of each separation claw 3 so as to interlock the rotation when the adjacent separation claws 3 are separated. The length to the tip of the other arm 7b is longer than the installation interval between the adjacent separation claws 3.
[0021]
For example, when the pitch of each separation claw 3 is 80 mm, the length from the tip of one side arm 7a of the separation claw 3 to the tip of the other side arm 7b is 90 mm, and when the pitch of each separation claw 3 is 60 mm, The length from the tip of one side arm 7a of the separation claw 3 to the tip of the other side arm 7b is 70 mm.
[0022]
Further, the other side arm 7b and the one side arm 7a of each separation claw 3 are arranged so as to be displaced in the rotational direction, and when the separation claw 3 is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2, the adjacent separation claw 3 is adjacent to each other. The one side arm 7a and the other side arm 7b are in a non-contact state without interfering with each other. That is, the one side arm 7a is arranged so as to be positioned on the separation direction side of the other side arm 7b, and the arms 7a and 7b are overlapped with each other by moving the separation claw 3 on one end side in the width direction in the separation direction. All the separation claws 3 can be separated.
[0023]
Note that the ends of these arms 7a and 7b are bent in the same direction, and even if the separation claws 3 are displaced in the width direction when separated, the one arm 7a and the other arm 7b of the adjacent separation claws 3 are mutually connected. It is sure to overlap. Even if the projecting position of the one side arm 7a and the projecting position of the other side arm 7b are made the same position and the tips of the arms 7a and 7b are bent in the sliding contact direction or the separating direction, they are overlapped. Good.
[0024]
The sheet separating apparatus 1 is mounted on a frame 13 in which a fixing roller 2 is rotatably mounted. The frame 13 includes an upper frame 11 having a substantially inverted U-shaped section and a lower frame 12 having a substantially U-shaped section. Note that the sheet separating apparatus 1 is mounted in the frame 13 by fixing the rotating shaft 4 to both side walls of the upper and lower frames 11 and 12 and pulling the other end of the tension spring 5 on the upper and lower walls. This is done by attaching to the spring mounting piece 10.
[0025]
The upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 have an upstream end rotatably connected by a pin 14 and a downstream side fixed by a screw 15. By removing the screw 15, the upper and lower frames 11 and 12 can be opened. it can. The frame 13 may be integrally formed in a cross-sectional box shape without being divided into the upper and lower frames 11 and 12.
[0026]
One arm 7 a of the separation claw 3 at one end in the width direction protrudes out of the frame 13, and this arm serves as an operation arm 16. A guide 17 for guiding the operation arm 16 in the sliding contact / separation direction is formed on one side wall of the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12. As the operation arm 16, an arm different from the one-side arm 7 a may be projected from the separation claw 3 on one end side in the width direction.
[0027]
The guide 17 is a groove formed in an arc shape, and the operation arm 16 slides along the guide 17. A step is formed in the middle of the guide 17, and the operating arm 16 is hooked and engaged with the step. That is, the step is the engaging portion 18 that engages the operating arm 16, and when the separation claw 3 is separated from the fixing roller 2, the operating arm 16 is engaged with the engaging portion 18, whereby the tension spring The separated state is maintained in resistance to the urging force of 5. When the jam processing or the like is completed, the engagement can be released using the elasticity of the operation arm 16 or the engaging portion 18, and the separation claw 3 can be slidably contacted.
[0028]
Fixing roller bearings 19 are fitted on both side walls of the upper and lower frames 11 and 12, and a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 are rotatably supported. In the case of a color image forming apparatus, the fixing roller 2 has a structure in which a rubber layer made of silicone rubber is provided around an aluminum core, for example. In the case of a monochrome image forming apparatus, the fixing roller 2 is formed on an aluminum core. The coating is made of polytetrafluoroethylene or the like. A heater 20 made of a halogen lamp or the like is provided inside at least one core of the fixing roller 2, and both the fixing rollers 2 are pressed against each other.
[0029]
Further, around the upper fixing roller 2, a release agent such as silicon oil is applied to the surface of the fixing roller 2, and a release agent application roller 21 for cleaning the surface of the fixing roller 2 and a control unit (not shown). In order to control the heater 20, a temperature detector 22 such as a thermistor for detecting the temperature of the fixing roller 2 is disposed. The sheet separating apparatus 1, the fixing roller 2, the release agent application roller 21, the temperature detector 22, and the frame 13 that houses them constitute a fixing apparatus that fixes the toner image on the sheet.
[0030]
Next, the operation of the sheet separating apparatus 1 will be described. First, when the image forming apparatus is operated, a toner image is formed on one side of the sheet, and this sheet is fed into the frame 13 from the upstream side of the fixing apparatus. The sheet is conveyed by a pair of upper and lower fixing rollers 2 that rotate in opposite directions and is discharged from the downstream side of the frame 13.
[0031]
When the sheet passes through the pressure contact surface between the fixing rollers 2, the toner image is melted and fixed on the sheet by the heat generated by the heater 20 of the fixing roller 2 and the pressure generated by the pressure contact of the fixing roller 2. The surface of the upper fixing roller 2 with which the toner image of the sheet is in direct contact is applied with a release agent such as silicon oil and cleaned by a release agent application roller 21. The heater 20 is controlled by a control unit (not shown) based on the temperature of the fixing roller 2 detected by a temperature detector 22 such as a thermistor.
[0032]
At this time, each separation claw 3 is urged by the tension spring 5, and the tip end portion of the separation claw body 6 is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2. Note that the arms 7a and 7b of the adjacent separation claws 3 are not in contact with each other, and the separation claws 3 do not interfere with each other, so that each separation claw 3 is applied to the fixing roller 2 with an appropriate pressure by the urging force of the tension spring 5. Make sliding contact.
[0033]
When the sheet sticks to any of the fixing rollers 2, the leading portion of the sheet moves as the fixing roller 2 rotates. When the leading portion of the sheet comes into contact with the leading end portion of the separation claw 3 that is in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2, the leading portion is prevented from moving, and the sheet is separated from the fixing roller 2 to the fixing roller 2 of the sheet. Winding of is prevented.
[0034]
On the other hand, when the leading portion of the sheet stuck to the fixing roller 2 passes between the fixing roller 2 and the leading end of the separation claw 3, the sheet is wound around the fixing roller 2 and a conveyance jam occurs. For this conveyance jam, the operation arm 16 is moved in the separation direction along the guide 17 to separate the separation claws 3 from the fixing roller 2 and remove the wound sheet.
[0035]
At this time, the operation arm 16 is engaged with the engaging portion 18 of the frame 13 to maintain the separated state of the separation claw 3, thereby facilitating jam processing. The sheet 15 wound around the fixing roller 2 may be removed by removing the screw 15 of the frame 13 and rotating the upper frame 11 around the pin 14 to open the frame 13.
[0036]
A state when the operation arm 16 is moved in the separation direction will be described. The separation claws 3 are arranged at equal intervals from one side in the width direction toward the other side. When the operating arm 16 of the first separation claw 3 on the one side is moved in the separating direction, the other arm 7b of the separation claw 3 is moved to the one side arm 7a of the adjacent second separation claw 3. Contact the lower side. Then, the second separation claw 3 moves in the separation direction in conjunction with the first separation claw 3. This movement is sequentially transmitted to the separation claw 3 on the other side via the arms 7 a and 7 b, and all the separation claw 3 is separated from the fixing roller 2.
[0037]
At this time, after one separation claw 3 is separated and moved by a distance corresponding to the gap between the arms 7 a and 7 b, the separation force is transmitted to the adjacent separation claw 3. Therefore, there is a little time difference in the separation of the separation claws 3 from the separation claw 3 on one end side to the separation claw 3 on the other end side.
[0038]
According to the above configuration, each separation claw 3 can be rotated around the rotation shaft 4 and is urged by the tension spring 5 so that each separation claw 3 is independent of the fixing roller 2. It can be detachable. At this time, each separation claw 3 reliably contacts the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force without being affected by the other separation claw 3. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the separation claw 3 that does not contact the fixing roller 2 from being present due to the surface accuracy of the fixing roller 2 and each separation claw 3 or the positional error of each separation claw 3 with respect to the fixing roller 2.
[0039]
Further, when separating, the one side arm 7a and the other side arm 7b of the adjacent separation claws 3 are arranged so as to overlap each other, and the adjacent separation claws 3 are interlocked with each other. By doing so, all the separation claws 3 can be separated from the fixing roller 2 at a time. Further, since the one arm 7a of the separation claw 3 on one end side protrudes from the frame 13 to form the operation arm 16, the separation claw 3 can be easily separated.
[0040]
Further, by shifting the position of the one side arm 7a of the separation claw 3 and the position of the other side arm 7b, each separation claw 3 can be made the same shape, and the unit cost of the parts and the assembly cost of the fixing device can be reduced. Can do.
[0041]
In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, rotation shafts 25 are provided on both sides of the separation claws 24 in the width direction, bearing pieces 26 that support the rotation shafts 25, and tension spring attachment pieces 27. The separation claw fixing member 28 formed with and is fixed to the frame 13, and the separation claw 24 is attached to the separation claw fixing member 28.
[0042]
FIG. 6 is a side view of the fixing device provided with the sheet separating device. The frame 15 is opened by removing the screws 15 between the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 and rotating the upper frame 11 around the pins 14. Shows the state. Further, the separation claw 24 shown by the lower solid line is in a separated state, and the separation claw 24 from one end side to the other end side is gradually shifted in the sliding contact direction. The shapes of the arms 7a and 7b are the same as in the above embodiment.
[0043]
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 7, one reverse L-shaped one-side hook 30 a that protrudes opposite to the position of the fixing roller 2 is formed at the tip of the one-side arm 29 a, and the tip of the other-side arm 29 b. Two reverse L-shaped other side hooks 30b projecting to the opposite side of the position of the fixing roller 2 so as to sandwich the one side hook 30a are formed in the portion, so that the connectivity of the arms 29a and 29b is increased. .
[0044]
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the separation claw is attached to a detachable separation claw fixing member 32 including a bearing piece 26 that supports the rotation shafts 25 on both sides in the width direction of the separation claw 31 and a tension spring mounting piece 27. 31 is attached and unitized. By fixing the separation claw fixing member 32 to the separation claw mounting plate 33 of the frame 13, the separation claw 31 can be attached to the frame 13 and the separation claw 31 can be easily attached.
[0045]
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 9, an interlocking rod 36 as an operation arm is inserted into the separation through hole 35 formed on the distal end side of each separation claw 34. By moving the interlocking rod 36, the separation claw 34 is rotated in the sliding contact direction or the separation direction around the rotation shaft 4, so that each separation claw 34 is separated from the fixing roller 2.
[0046]
In this case, by making the interlocking rod 36 smaller than the through-hole 35 for separation / contact, the interlocking rod 36 and the separation pawl 34 are not in contact with each other when the separation pawl 34 is in sliding contact, and when the separation pawl 34 is separated, the interlocking rod 36 is separated. Can be brought into contact with the separation claw 34. Therefore, the respective separation claws 34 can be separated from each other independently, and each separation claw 34 can be surely brought into sliding contact with a predetermined urging force.
[0047]
In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 10, a rotation shaft 38 that rotatably supports a plurality of separation claws 37 is provided, and a spring that biases each separation claw 37 in a sliding contact direction on the rotation shaft 38. Is attached. In this sheet separating apparatus, a plurality of leaf springs 39 project from the rotation shaft 38 in accordance with the position of the separation claw 37, and a leaf spring mounting portion 40 including two protrusions is formed on each separation claw 37. The The vicinity of the tip end of the leaf spring 39 is sandwiched by the leaf spring mounting portion 40 so that the vicinity of the tip end of the leaf spring 39 is slidably attached to each separation claw 37, and the rotation shaft 38 of each separation claw 37 is attached by this leaf spring 39. The surrounding rotation is restricted. A torsion coil spring may be used instead of the plate spring 39.
[0048]
When the rotation shaft 38 of the sheet separating apparatus is rotated in the sliding contact direction, each separation claw 37 is rotated together with the rotation shaft 38, and the leading end thereof comes into contact with the fixing roller 2. When the rotating shaft 38 is further rotated, the leaf spring 39 is deformed without the separation claw 37 rotating. At this time, each separation claw 37 is urged so as to be in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force by the elastic force of the deformed leaf spring 39.
[0049]
In this sheet separating apparatus, each separation claw 37 is urged by a separate leaf spring 39, so that the separation claws 37 can be separated from each other independently. Further, each separation claw 37 is interlocked by a rotation shaft 38, and each separation claw 37 can be integrally separated by rotating the rotation shaft 38 in the separation direction.
[0050]
In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a support plate 42 that slidably supports a plurality of separation claws 41 toward the fixing roller 2 is arranged, and each separation claw 41 is directed to the fixing roller 2 on the support plate 42. A spring that urges is attached. In this sheet separating apparatus, a support plate 42 having a rectangular cross section is arranged in parallel with the fixing roller 2, and a support plate through hole 43 through which the support plate 42 passes is formed in each separation claw 41.
[0051]
The support plate through-hole 43 is a rectangular hole. The short side of the support plate through-hole 43 is long enough to allow the support plate 42 to pass through, and prevents the separation claw 41 from rotating. On the other hand, the long side of the support plate through-hole 43 has a length that allows the separation claw 41 to slide in the plate width direction of the support plate 42. The support plate 42 and each separation claw 41 are connected by a tension spring 5, and each separation claw 41 is urged toward the fixing roller 2 by the tension spring 5.
[0052]
When the support plate 42 of the sheet separating apparatus is moved toward the fixing roller 2, the separation claws 41 are moved together with the support plate 42, and the leading ends thereof come into contact with the fixing roller 2. When the support plate 42 is further moved, the separation claw 41 does not move, and the tension spring 5 extends. At this time, each separation claw 41 is urged so as to be in sliding contact with the fixing roller 2 with a predetermined force by the elastic force of the extended tension spring 5.
[0053]
In this sheet separating apparatus, each separation claw 41 is urged by a separate tension spring 5, so that each separation claw 41 can be separated from and separated from each other independently. Further, each separation claw 41 is interlocked by a support plate 42, and each separation claw 41 can be integrally separated by moving the support plate 42 linearly in a direction away from the fixing roller 2.
[0054]
In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A change can be suitably added within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the sheet separating apparatus that interlocks the separation claw when separated by projecting an arm on the separation claw body of each separation claw, the arms projected on both sides in the width direction of each separation claw body overlap vertically. Instead, the one side arm may be shaped like a rod, and the other side arm may be shaped like a pipe through which the one side arm is inserted, or vice versa. At this time, by making the inner diameter of the pipe larger than the outer diameter of the rod, the arms can be brought into non-contact at the time of sliding contact, and the separation claws can be separated from each other independently.
[0055]
In addition, in the sheet separating apparatus in which the separation claw is interlocked when separated by projecting an arm on the separation claw body of each separation claw, the arms projected on each separation claw body are on both sides in the width direction of each separation claw body. In addition to projecting on the side, it may project on one side in the width direction. In this case, the length of the arm is longer than the interval between the adjacent separation claws, and a contact portion is formed on each separation claw body so that the arm of the adjacent separation claw overlaps when separated.
[0056]
At this time, a contact hole as a contact portion is formed in the separation claw body, and the contact hole is made larger than the arm so that the arms are not in contact with each other at the time of sliding contact, and each separation claw is independent In this way, it is possible to freely connect and disconnect. Further, by shifting the position of each separation claw arm or bending the tip of the arm, it is possible to prevent the adjacent separation claw arms from interfering with each other. Further, a surface on the sliding contact side of the separation claw body may be used as the contact portion. In this case, the tip of the arm is bent and brought into contact with the contact portion.
[0057]
Further, the sheet conveying member may be not only the fixing roller but also another conveying roller or a conveying belt. In addition, as interlocking means for interlocking the separation claws at the time of separation, not only the arm and the interlocking bar but also a plurality of separation claws may be integrally separated using an electromagnet. In this case, it is preferable that the switch is switched when the frame is opened so that the separation claw is separated.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, in the sheet separating apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of separation claws are interlocked and separated from the sheet conveying member integrally. At this time, if adjacent separating claws are overlapped at the time of separation, it is not necessary to separately provide a member to be interlocked, and a small and low cost sheet separating apparatus can be realized. Then, by separating one separation claw from the operation side, the plurality of separation claws are sequentially separated. For this reason, it is not necessary to make contact with each separation claw, and the operation becomes easy and jamming can be performed efficiently.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a sheet separating apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a fixing device provided with a sheet separation device, and shows a sliding state of a separation claw.
FIG. 3 is a side view showing a separated state of the separation claw;
[Fig. 4] Arrangement of the separation claw
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of main parts of a sheet separating apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a fixing device including the sheet separating device, and shows a state where a frame is opened.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of main parts of a sheet separating apparatus according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a main part plan view of a sheet separating apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of main parts of a sheet separating apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of main parts of a sheet separating apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of main parts of a sheet separating apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Sheet separator
2 Fixing roller
3 separation nails
4 Rotating shaft
5 Tension spring
6 Separation nail body
7a One side arm
7b Other arm

Claims (10)

  A plurality of separation claws are juxtaposed in the width direction with respect to the sheet conveying member, and each separation claw is a sheet separating device that is detachable from the sheet conveying member independently of each other. A sheet separating apparatus characterized in that a part thereof overlaps with adjacent separation claws, and the separation claws are overlapped and interlocked when the separation claws are separated. The portion of the separation claw, the sheet separating device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is an arm which protrudes in the width direction of the sheet conveying members. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the length of the arm is longer than an installation interval between adjacent separation claws. 4. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the arm is positioned so that the arm is not in contact with an adjacent separating claw when the separating claw is in sliding contact with the sheet conveying member. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the separation claw has arms protruding on both sides in the width direction of the separation claw, and the arms of adjacent separation claw overlap each other. The separation claws are rotatably supported on the same axis, and the arms on both sides of the separation claws are protruded while being shifted from each other, and the adjacent separation claw arms are not in contact with each other when the separation claws slide. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the sheet separating apparatus is provided. Operation arm provided on one side of the separation claw located at one end side in the width direction,該操action arm claim 2 or 5, wherein the guided movably in the sheet conveying member supporting frame Sheet separator. 8. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an engagement portion for engaging an operation arm for holding the separation claw in a separated state is formed on the frame. 6. The sheet separating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the separating claws provided with the projecting arms have the same shape. A plurality of separation claws arranged side by side in the width direction with respect to the sheet conveying member, and each separation claw is a sheet separating apparatus that can be separated from and contacted with the sheet conveying member independently of each other. Interlocking means for interlocking and separating from the sheet conveying member is provided , a through hole is formed in the separation claw, and the interlocking means is an interlocking rod inserted into the through hole of each separation claw, the interlocking rod formed compact than the through hole, the at the time of sliding contact of the separation claw not in contact with the separation claws, features and be Resid over preparative separation apparatus that contact the separation claw during separation of the separation claw .

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